Newbies Nest

[wagmor]

Re: Newbies Nest

Hi all, quick post for me tonight. I had a super full day of teaching so that I can take tomorrow afternoon to go visit my dad. I'm pretty wiped out and plan to head to bed pretty soon.

Hope everyone is doing well!

[Lavande]

Re: Newbies Nest

Happy to see a few Nesters this evening

We actually hit 87 degrees this afternoon, how crazy is that for mid-April? Next week it will cool off once again.
The painter was back this morning & hung the cabinet doors in my kitchen, they look great! He asked us to wait until Saturday or Sunday to put the pull knobs back on so the paint has a chance to harden off.

Wags, glad your Covid experience wasn’t too bad. No one needs that stuff, ugh.
Sounds like your Dad is safe & comfy & willing to allow you to make decisions for his care. That can often be a big hurdle. I’ll give you a little hint - you can look up annual Medicare inspection reports to get a real good idea of how the nursing home operates. If they had an deficiencies they have a year to correct them (sometimes less) or risk losing their license to operate & get Medicare reimbursements. Doesn’t hurt to check them out. You’re doing great so far!!

Mulburry, I hope you are well.

NS, if not the dogs I can always send out a few of my crazier chickens to round up the missing Nesters, LOL
I think we shouldn’t get too used to this odd warm spell. Glad you’re having bike time fun.

Hello to al & wishing everyone a safe night in teh nest!

Lav

[NoSugar]

Re: Newbies Nest

So glad that things seem to be moving in a good direction, Wags, and that none of you became extremely ill. I hope you feel really good about at least one of the two care options for your dad. You are lucky you even have options!! In our area, care facilities often are either awful or don't have openings.

I think you should send out the search dogs, Lav! I miss the missing nesters!! Good to see you, Mulberry!!

We are having a weird summer-like week and I am LOVING IT! I am trying to use my e-bike as transportation more and better weather really helps with that. Yesterday I went straight south into a fierce wind and was so happy to have the power assist. I'm not sure I even could have ridden in that direction with a standard bike.

[wagmor]

Re: Newbies Nest

Mulberry - I think you're right, my dad won't remember a ton so hopefully a move won't be too hard. I asked him if he'd like to be someplace closer and he said he thought that was a good idea. I spoke with the nurse who runs a home that's about 10 mins from our house today and I think it's an excellent option. I've got at least one more place to check out and then I'm going to go talk with my dad again Friday. I'm glad to hear your dad eventually settled in to his home.

NS - your new paint colors sound fun and refreshing! I hope you enjoy your new/old space. My wife and I both really lucked out and had very light cases of covid. We each only had mild symptoms for about 2 days and we've both had 2 negative tests since then. I feel incredibly lucky to be honest. Fortunately, my dad hasn't been too bad either, although he has a persistent cough he can't seem to shake. I hope by the time I see him Friday he'll be feeling and sounding better.

Lav - definitely living AF with zero regrets. I can't believe I forgot to post last night! Hope all is well with you.

Techie - thanks for the good thoughts friend, I really appreciate it!


Hellos and waves to all. Hope nesters around the world are having good weeks.

[Mulburry]

Re: Newbies Nest

Thanks Lav and Mulburry. It sounds like my situation is unfortunately a very common one for "kids" like us to go through with a parent. I never thought about the possibility of arterial blockage contributing to or causing this. My dad has had minor memory issues for the past year or so but it seems that things really became noticeable and problematic in the past 3-4 months. And then the past 3 weeks have been shocking to witness.:

That's unfortunate. My dad started to go downhill a lot faster after a heart attack and quadruple bipass surgery a few years ago. Probably some similarities there, as his heart can't pump blood as efficiently anymore which can affect the brain as well.

y dad is in a place temporarily but I'll definitely need to move him at least once -- it's just way too far away for me to visit consistently and still manage the rest of my life and responsibilities. I'm hoping it won't be too disruptive for him but I HAVE to also make it work for me. Ideally we'll make the move later this month, and then he can stay put for the duration.

If you're dad's memory is as bad as I seem to infer from your posts, it might not take him too long to adjust (hopefully).

[Lavande]

Re: Newbies Nest

Uh oh, looks like I need to send the search dogs out for missing Nesters

I hope everyone is OK & enjoying AF life & having zero regrets.
Wishing a safe night the nest for all!

Lav

[Lavande]

Re: Newbies Nest

Greetings Nesters,

I’m just back from a walk & I’m still 15 minutes short of the 1 hr walking/day prescribed by teh cardiologist, oh well. Some days my feet just say no

Wags, a simple Utrasound of the carotids will determine if blood flow is adequate or not. I’ve had mine checked once because of my family history. One of my brothers just had his 2nd surgery to open his left carotid, it keeps blocking. I’m glad your dad is safe & sound now & it will be even better when he’s closer to you. I hope you enjoy the birthday celebrations with your wife. Life has to go on as usual :hug:

Mulburry, sounds like you & Wags have very similar situations going on. It’s kind of good to know that you’re not the only going through parental life changes right now. We somehow got thru all this with our 4 parents, it wasn’t much fun. Hang in there!

NS, good to hear your project is completed, must be a relief
I’m expecting the painters back Thursday with the cabinet doors, then I’ll be happy too with a nice fresh kitchen!

Hello to all & wishing everyone a safe night in the nest!

Lav

[NoSugar]

Re: Newbies Nest

Has Covid passed quickly for all of you, Wags? I hope so! Good luck finding a nearby place for your dad to be. The whole process can be so challenging. I am thinking of you.

My house is pretty much back in order. Just need to wait for there to be 3 people here to re-hang some wall quilts, mirrors, etc. I love the new colors - everything seems so fresh and new even though nothing was changed other than the color. I guess I did minimize the "stuff" that is out so that helps.

Lav, I took the bold step of planting lettuce and other greens last week. When I returned from a weekend trip, there were tons of little sprouts! It is such an encouraging time of year. Everything seems possible.

[techie]

Re: Newbies Nest

Thanks Lav and Mulburry. It sounds like my situation is unfortunately a very common one for "kids" like us to go through with a parent. I never thought about the possibility of arterial blockage contributing to or causing this. My dad has had minor memory issues for the past year or so but it seems that things really became noticeable and problematic in the past 3-4 months. And then the past 3 weeks have been shocking to witness.

Lav - sounds like a great idea to hire a pro for your cabinet painting project. There comes a time when that's just good self-care

Mulburry - glad to hear your dad eventually settled into his care home. My dad is in a place temporarily but I'll definitely need to move him at least once -- it's just way too far away for me to visit consistently and still manage the rest of my life and responsibilities. I'm hoping it won't be too disruptive for him but I HAVE to also make it work for me. Ideally we'll make the move later this month, and then he can stay put for the duration.

Tomorrow is my wife's birthday and it's supposed to rain all day. We're going to celebrate with a nice meal and then do something fun this coming weekend when the weather is better.

Hope all is well with all of you my fellow nesters. Hellos and waves to all of you :heartbeat:

I will keep you and your dad in light and prayer. Blessings x

[wagmor]

Re: Newbies Nest

Thanks Lav and Mulburry. It sounds like my situation is unfortunately a very common one for "kids" like us to go through with a parent. I never thought about the possibility of arterial blockage contributing to or causing this. My dad has had minor memory issues for the past year or so but it seems that things really became noticeable and problematic in the past 3-4 months. And then the past 3 weeks have been shocking to witness.

Lav - sounds like a great idea to hire a pro for your cabinet painting project. There comes a time when that's just good self-care

Mulburry - glad to hear your dad eventually settled into his care home. My dad is in a place temporarily but I'll definitely need to move him at least once -- it's just way too far away for me to visit consistently and still manage the rest of my life and responsibilities. I'm hoping it won't be too disruptive for him but I HAVE to also make it work for me. Ideally we'll make the move later this month, and then he can stay put for the duration.

Tomorrow is my wife's birthday and it's supposed to rain all day. We're going to celebrate with a nice meal and then do something fun this coming weekend when the weather is better.

Hope all is well with all of you my fellow nesters. Hellos and waves to all of you :heartbeat:

[Mulburry]

Re: Newbies Nest

I took part of my weekend for self-care, and part to visit my dad. The first thing he said when I arrived was, "I was about to give up on you finding me here." :sad: His memory has gotten noticeably poorer in just the past 2 weeks.

Sorry to hear about your dad. My dad is in a much similar situation, in a care home with dementia, seems like about the similar level as your dad but the process was much slower (happened gradually over a number of years, and the deterioration isn't really noticeable from week to week). He's been in a home about 2 years and it took quite a bit of adjustment for him but I think he's gotten used to it now (and in some ways the memory issue is a blessing because he very much lives in the moment now; not like at the beginning when he would demand to "go home" etc. and be very billigerant and difficult with staff). It's definitely tough seeing the decline, but at least he seems to be well cared for there, and it is a huge relief for my mom who could no longer take care of him.

A bit better weather today after a miserable weekend, thankfully... Hope everyone had a great Easter!

[Lavande]

Re: Newbies Nest

Wags, sorry I forgot to answer you question. We are in the midst of having our kitchen cabinets repainted, a huge job that we hired a painter to do right. Decided we are way too old to do that kiknd of work anymore LOL

Lav

[Lavande]

Re: Newbies Nest

Greetings Nesters,

Sunny & mid-sixties here today, nice
I’m working hard to resist the urge to go plant something in my garden though. We could still have frosty nights & I’d hate to freeze my baby plants.

Wags, glad you took some self-care tine, it’s important.
In doing daily assessments on patients you have to determine if they are Alert & Oriented X3 (person, place, time). Just because someone looks OK at first glance it doesn’t necessarily mean they are totally with the program. It’s easy to loose track of time when a person has been in a hospital or nursing home. Gentle reminders are in order to help them. Please don’t feel guilty or anything, it’s not your fault or even your dad’s fault. My dad had the same issue, became very disoriented at the end. In his case it was an almost complete blockage of his carotid arteries & he wasn’t a surgical candidate. As long as he is safe. &comfortable you are doing the best for him :hug:

Steady, I’m glad to have winter behind us now & it wasn’t even all that bad. I just miss the spring & summer colors outside.
You should be all set with your knitting projects, right?

Hello to all & wishing a safe night in the nest for all!

Lav

[STEADFAST]

Re: Newbies Nest

Hi Nesters, and happy Easter for those that celebrate.

It's been cold here! Winter just barged in without knocking. I think Ava wanted rain, I just hope you're happy now, Ava
I hope your shoulder eases up, and that the new work person is nice.

Lav, I hope it's the final touches on your kitchen now, and that you can get everything back into it and enjoy it soon.

Wags, stay strong. It sounds like you're keeping a good balance between care for your dear Dad and for yourself. I think the cognitive situation can snowball quickly sometimes, and it's very hard to witness. Good luck with the referrals. Continuing to think of you :hug:

It's been a good Easter. Bracing for winter now...

Hi to everyone flying by.
Steadfast
:love:

[wagmor]

Re: Newbies Nest

Hi all,

Hope everyone had good weekends in your various corners of the world. I took part of my weekend for self-care, and part to visit my dad. The first thing he said when I arrived was, "I was about to give up on you finding me here." :sad: His memory has gotten noticeably poorer in just the past 2 weeks. He didn't remember I had just been there last Thu & Fri and that I'd taken him to the Dr, although when I reminded him of that he said "a woman?" like he had a vague recollection of meeting with her. I'm kind of stunned how quickly his cognitive skills seem to be changing. I'm no expert for sure, but it just seems really fast! His mind has always been exceptional (like a 160 IQ I think) and so seeing him not function well mentally is simply stunning.

Lav - your weather sounds crazy with such big temp fluctuations. Hopefully things will settle into nice Spring temps for you soon. I missed something though - why is your kitchen in boxes?

Ava - great to hear that your pups are all doing so well, but sorry your shoulder is bothering you. Not being able to get comfortable to sleep is the worst. I hope a few more acupuncture appts give you some longer-lasting relief.


Hellos and waves to everyone stopping by the nest. Hope your weeks start off well!